In the most recent updates, the evacuation order affecting the District of Summerland has been partially changed to an alert for an area east of Highway 97 and the Trout Creek neighborhood on the west side of Highway 97. The highway through Summerland is now fully open to all traffic. Evacuation orders are gradually being lifted near concerning fires in British Columbia, such as Clinton and Summerland. The B.C. Wildfire Service mentioned that smoke covering the southern part of the province is expected to persist until Sunday. There is a possibility of more lightning-caused fires in B.C. on Sunday due to an unstable weather pattern, as stated by a fire information officer. Highway 97 near Cache Creek has reopened in a limited manner after being closed for weeks due to the Pear Lake wildfire.
Residents of Summerland, B.C., are now permitted to return home as the District of Summerland has downgraded evacuation orders to alerts for specific areas. However, residents must be prepared to evacuate at short notice as conditions can change. Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes revealed that around 800 properties have had evacuation orders downgraded, totaling approximately 1,200 properties now under evacuation alert. Initially, 5,500 properties were under evacuation order when the fire started, but the extent of damage is still being assessed.
Highway 97 in Summerland has been completely reopened after being closed due to the wildfire. Authorities emphasized that the reopening is contingent on fire behavior and the B.C. Wildfire Service’s requirements.
The B.C. Wildfire Service is monitoring a weather pattern that could lead to more lightning strikes and wildfires in the southern part of the province. Despite the gradual lifting of evacuation orders, Rick van Kesteren, a provincial fire information officer, expects smoke to linger in southern B.C. for a few days. While the smoke may benefit ground crews by reducing temperatures, aircraft might face challenges due to poor visibility caused by the smoke. Additionally, firefighting crews from New Brunswick and Quebec are being deployed to assist with over 120 wildfires in B.C., primarily ignited by lightning strikes.
Nicholas Kosovic, co-owner of the Stagecoach Cafe in Clinton, was among those who returned home after evacuation orders were downgraded. The Pear Lake fire remains the largest this year in B.C., covering 1,593 square kilometers. Highways 97 and other road sections in B.C. have reopened, albeit with restrictions due to active wildfire areas.
The Bald Range wildfire near Summerland, spanning over 210 square kilometers, is still uncontained. Highway 1 north of Hope in the Fraser Canyon remains closed due to wildfires, while the Brunswick Creek wildfire complex around Boston Bar spans over 700 square kilometers.
